These Projects Could Affect Your Taxes

Last week, Patch reported on development projects in Upper Macungie Township that will help keep school-related property taxes down.

On Friday, during an all-day 2013-14 school budget seminar, the Parkland School Board also reported on similar development in neighboring South Whitehall and North Whitehall townships.

Development in these neighboring sending districts will also help assessments and tax collection within the entire Parkland School District.

According to the school district:

In South Whitehall:

• Only two building permits have been issued for new homes, which are two less than at this time last year.

• Approximately two-thirds of the residential land in the township has been developed.

• Don't expect to see multi-family or townhome development anytime soon.

• There are 286 approved lots for residential development with 73 single-family detached dwellings, 199 townhomes at Blue Barn Meadows and 14 twins at Ressler Acres.

• Sketch plans were submitted for a 106 single-family home development on the north side of Walbert Ave. between Winchester Heights and Shoemaker Jeep, known as Rutz Farm.

• Commercial building permits made up 48 percent of the 2012 total. Commercial projects in 2012 included Dorney Park, Luther Crest Apartments conversions, the addition at Giant Food Stores, an addition at Zator Law Offices and tenant fitouts at Hamiton Court., Tilghman Square and office parks.

• This year's commercial outlook has 143,000 square-feet of new building poised to start construction. Anticipated projects are Dorney Square office building, Tilghman Square improvements, a Rothrock dealership auto body shop, the Cetronia Ambulance Corp. Joint Operations Facility, Broadway-Cooper Car Wash and St. Luke's re-use of the former Pennsylvania Expo Center.

In North Whitehall:

• Timber Ridge development is the only area that may be developed. However, it only has 10 townhomes remaining to be built.

• There are no new plans for a Walmart in North Whitehall.

• Plans have been submitted for a strip mall (Marians Plaza) near Route 873 and Route 309.

• There are new filtration system regulations that require storm water runoff to be retained on a lot. That regulation requires larger lot sizes and, as a result, a reduction in growth in North Whitehall.